Digg/Buzz It Up

POLITICO 44

Eight years ago, a terrorist bomber’s attempt to blow up a transatlantic airliner was thwarted by a group of passengers, an incident that revealed some gaping holes in airline security just a few months after the attacks of Sept. 11. But it was six days before President George W. Bush, then on vacation, made any public remarks about the so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, and there were virtually no complaints from the press or any opposition Democrats that his response was sluggish or inadequate.

That stands in sharp contrast to the withering criticism President Barack Obama has received from Republicans and some in the press for his reaction to Friday’s incident on a Northwest Airlines flight heading for Detroit.

Democrats have seized on the disparity and are making it a centerpiece of their efforts to counter GOP attacks on the White House. “This hypocrisy demonstrates Republicans are playing politics with issues of national security and terrorism,” DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan said. “That they would use this incident as an opportunity to fan partisan flames … tells you all you need to know about how far the Republican Party has fallen and how out of step with the American people they have become.”

The Democrats’ counterattack is aimed largely at two Republican congressmen who have been particularly critical of Obama, Reps. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.). But neither GOP lawmaker concedes applying a double standard to Obama.

But the similarities between last Friday’s incident and the attempted shoe bombing in 2001 are striking.

This year’s attack came on Christmas. The attempt eight years ago took place on Dec. 22. Obama was on vacation in Hawaii when the suspect, Omar Abdulmutallab, allegedly used plastic explosives in his try to blow up the Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight. Bush was at Camp David when Reid used similar plastic explosives to try to blow up his Paris-to-Miami flight, which diverted to Boston after the incident.

Like the Obama White House, the Bush White House told reporters the president had been briefed on the incident and was following it closely. While the Obama White House issued a background statement through a senior administration official calling the incident an “attempted terrorist attack” on the same day it took place, the early official statements from Bush aides did not make the same explicit statement.

Bush did not address reporters about the Reid episode until December 28, after he had traveled from Camp David to his ranch in Texas.

Democrats do not appear to have criticized Bush over the delay. Many were wary of publicly clashing with the commander in chief, who was getting lofty approval ratings after what appeared to be a successful military campaign in Afghanistan. The media also seemed to have little interest in pressing Bush about the bombing, or the fact that the incident had revealed a previously unknown vulnerability in airplane security — that shoes could be used to hide chemicals or explosive devices.

An Agence France-Presse story was one of the few to call attention to the silence from Bush and other top officials.

Because Bush was taking heat from the dems within one month of 9/11 for anything that he was doing or trying to do, but at least he was trying to do something unlike the 'one', who has determined there are no terrorists, no war on terrorism, and anything that occurs that is untoward is the result of man-made disasters.

Well of course the first time it happens it is understandable that security is not up to scrutiny. Bush learned from that lack of observation and changed behavior. While he grew government and gave away powers in an unconstitutional manner, he definitely took it to the terrorists in a fierce way. Obama is trying everything he can to deny there are terrorists, and makes every attempt to appease the islamic world. BUsh wasn't a great President, but he responded to the terrorist threat with a frenzy. 6 days to respond to the shoe bomber. The nation was still in shock from 9/11 when Reid attempted to take down that plane, and believed Bush was making every effort to stop a growing threat.

Cry me a river, poor boy Obamifhd. Everyone knew Bush was tuff, everyone knows Obamsdifh is the direct opposite, Now those who are in love with this Pres are coming to his aid, poor baby boy. Bush has nothing to do with the current situation, he is long gone but you libbies (the writer of the bull article) can not give it up.

Democrats have seized on the disparity and are making it a centerpiece of their efforts to counter GOP attacks on the White House. “This hypocrisy demonstrates Republicans are playing politics with issues of national security and terrorism,” DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan said. “That they would use this incident as an opportunity to fan partisan flames…tells you all you need to know about how far the Republican party has fallen and how out of step with the American people they have become.”

The Democrats’ counterattack is aimed largely at two Republican congressmen who have been particularly critical of Obama, Reps. Pete Hoekstra (R-N.Y.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.). But neither GOP lawmaker will concede applying a double standard to Obama.

Yet, the similarities between last Friday’s incident and the attempted shoe bombing in 2001 are striking.

Gerstein, are you drunk?

THE WHOLE POINT IS THAT THE REID ATTACK WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND USING PETN ON A PASSENGER'S PERSON.

REID'S FATHER DID NOT TURN IN HIS KID A MONTH BEFORE THE ATTACK TO US INTELLIGENCE. ABDUL'S DAD DID. AND OBAMA'S PEOPLE DID NOTHING.

IT IS EIGHT YEARS LATER.

IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT SOMEONE ON A TERRORIST WATCH LIST STILL HAS A VISA.

Isn't Obama a big boy that can stand up for himself. No! He's a ego mainic, that is having a hard time realizing his poll numbers are so low. Yes baby Obama I voted for you, but now I can't stand the site of you or a Democrat. Why, because you rammed through a healthcare bill that we the majority of American people do not want. So now I hate you and I will help vote you out of office.

Ummm yea because Bush didn't feel the need to be readily accessable to the camera and the media so people didn't expect him to comment on EVERYTHING immediately. However,our current president has himself programed the people to expect him to comment on EVERYTHING. I mean if he can comment on a white cop arresting a black professor swiftly and have strong things to say about that surely he can have a swift,strong response for us on this?????????